Treelet Health provides the latest health news, disease prevention, nutrition and diet, and other professional health knowledge to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle.
There is ongoing research on how food relates to mental well-being and mental health conditions such as depression. An area of study is how foods impact aspects like happiness and life satisfaction. A recent study suggests that certain foods, like fish and vegetables, may be linked to positive psychological well-being.
Alcohol consumption, particularly heavy alcohol use, is linked to many health conditions, including an increased risk of dementia. However, studies have suggested that consuming small amounts of alcohol might actually decrease the risk of developing dementia. Now, a study has found that low alcohol consumption may not have the suggested protective effect. The study, which used both observational and genetic analysis, suggests that any alcohol consumption may increase a person’s risk of dementia, with the risk increasing as alcohol intake increases.
The global population of older adults ages 60 and over is expected to jump from 12% in 2015 to 22% by 2050. Past studies show there are several lifestyle factors that can have a negative impact on how healthy older adults may age. A new study says that it may be possible for older adults to regain their optimal well-being by making healthy lifestyle choices, even at age 60 and older.
While it’s not uncommon for people to experience problems with thinking and remembering with aging, moderate to severe cognitive decline is not a common aging experience. While not all cases of mild cognitive impairment lead to dementia, about 10-20% of cases do. For this reason, clinicians emphasize the importance of following a healthy lifestyle to help keep one’s brain healthy as one ages. Among these interventions are following the MIND diet, a moderate to high-intensity exercise program, and engaging socially.
Metabolic syndrome is associated with memory deficits. A new animal study identifies a mechanism that might underpin this effect. Researchers show how a high-fat diet affects specific neural circuitry, thereby hindering memory formation.
In a new study, researchers examined whether cocoa extract supplements have an impact on age-related inflammation, which is linked to heart disease and other chronic illnesses. The researchers found that 500 mg of daily cocoa extract supplements slowed increases in a key marker of inflammation. These benefits were strongest in individuals with higher baseline or existing inflammation at the start.
Ketogenic diets that provide most of the daily calorie intake from fats have gained considerable attention as a lifestyle intervention for managing obesity and diabetes. Despite its popularity and effectiveness in promoting short-term weight loss, some human and animal studies suggest an adverse impact of a keto diet on metabolic health. A new long-term study conducted in mice now shows that a keto diet causes an increase in blood lipid (fat) levels, excessive fat storage in the liver, and impaired glucose regulation. These results raise concerns about the use of a keto diet for the management of obesity and diabetes and underscore the need for a cautionary approach.
Researchers estimate that about 1.8 billion people around the world live with presbyopia, a farsightedness condition that can appear as a person grows older. More recent treatment options for presbyopia are eye drops such as Vuity, which uses pilocarpine hydrochloride. A new study found that a new eye drop using both pilocarpine plus diclofenac helped study participants improve their ability to read up close.
Long COVID or post-COVID-19 condition is the long-term symptoms that can develop after experiencing COVID-19. One study found that starting metformin within three months of SARS-CoV-2 infection diagnosis may decrease the risk of long COVID in people who have obesity or overweight. Metformin is a medication used to treat high blood sugar levels caused by type 2 diabetes.
Past studies show that there are a number of lifestyle factors that may contribute to the development of type 2 diabetes, such as smoking. There are different subtypes of type 2 diabetes, which can be related to age, insulin resistance, and obesity. A new study reconfirms smoking as a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and says this risk occurs across all four subtypes of the condition. It also finds that smoke-free tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes and nicotine pouches, can also heighten diabetes risk.
Each year about 25 million women around the world experience menopause. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a treatment sometimes prescribed to people going through menopause, which has some potential complications, including blood clots and stroke. New research says that women with type 2 diabetes using HRT skin patches are not at a higher risk for blood clots or stroke. However, the study did find that women with type 2 diabetes taking oral HRT may increase their risk for pulmonary embolism and heart disease overall.
Mild cognitive impairment can involve cognitive struggles and can increase someone’s chances of developing dementia. Exergaming involves technology that requires physical activity and has possible cognitive benefits. One recent study found that serious exergaming may positively impact gray matter and white matter in the brain, and that these brain changes may be linked to cognitive improvements.